Stephanie Rice says 'lost part of herself' post retirement announcement

Australian swimmer Stephanie Rice, who has won three Olympic gold medals, has reportedly announced her retirement in a video on her website from the sport.

Rice, who won three gold medals at the Beijing Olympics, has reportedly been troubled by shoulder injuries since her Beijing success and struggled during the London Olympics, failing to win a medal after finishing fourth in the 200m medley and sixth in the 400m.

According to News.com.au, Rice said that her decision to quit swimming was a difficult one adding that she definitely feels like she is losing a part of herself.

Rice has reportedly won a gold medal each in the 400metre and the 200metre individual medley and the 4x200m freestyle relay at the Beijing Olympics.

The Olympic gold medallist also held four individual long-course world records throughout her career and won two silver and five bronze medals at world championships, the report added.